Root a positive move after cagey Cook captaincy, says Warne

Shane Warne has backed Joe Root to show Alastair Cook how a captain should lead his side as the Yorkshireman builds towards his bow as Test skipper.

Australia legend Warne was an outspoken critic of Root's predecessor Alastair Cook but believes the change in personnel at the top represents a positive move for England.

Warne wants to see Root, who averages 52.80 from 53 matches, translate his "aggressive" play with the bat into a similar approach with his captaincy.

"I hope he captains the side like the way he plays his cricket, it's exciting to watch when he bats," said Sky Sports pundit Warne. "I think he's aggressive, I think he takes the game on, no matter if it's quick or spin, he likes to be positive all of the time, so I hope that rubs off in his captaincy.

"I think he's good with Paul Farbrace and Trevor Bayliss as coaches. I think they will give him the reins and let him put his own stamp on it, they'll let him run with the way he should run with it.

"I think he will be a lot different tactically [from Cook] and he will be a little bit more aggressive.

"If you look back over a little bit of time, even recently in India, England had a great chance to win that first Test but batted too long and that's been a bit of a sign with England in recent times, where they've just batted a bit too long, where they can't lose the game, where I hope Joe Root will be a little bit more, 'We're going to try and win this.'"

Root will begin his new era at the helm in July, when England kick off a four-Test series against South Africa.

He will be scrutinised by the likes of Warne as he does so, but the former spin bowler knows it can take time to grow into such a high-pressure role - and he even cut Cook some rare slack.

"Alastair Cook got better," added the 47-year-old. "No one is their best version of themselves as captain when they start. It takes a bit of time to understand how to work on your own game, there's also worrying about the team and coming to terms with being captain.

"So I was very critical of Alastair Cook at the start because he wasn't making a run either and I didn't think he captained the side that well, but that was three or four years ago.

"But I hope Joe Root will be a little bit more aggressive and try and win games, rather than make sure they don't lose them."

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